UNIT 2

Reading Section:
Human Anatomy
The human body is an intricate and remarkable piece of
engineering in which every structure plays a specific role. It can
absorb the oxygen needed to survive through respiration and then
circulate it through the blood to the tissues; the form is given by the
skeletal system; it is covered by a protective layer of tissue called
skin; it derives its energy through the digestion of food. There are
roughly 200 bones, 79 organs (bones and teeth are each counted
only once), approximately 650 muscles and enough blood vessels to
go around the world more than twice. The branch of science
concerned with the study of these major bodily systems is called
anatomy. This word comes from the Greek word “ana” meaning
“prin” and “tomein” meaning “tăiere”. Traditionally, studies of
anatomy have involved dissecting or cutting up organisms. In fact,
anatomy is considered the oldest scientific discipline of medicine,
the 1st documented dissections on the human body being carried out
as early as the 3rd century BC in Alexandria. Once more, Greece was
the house of another important figure in this area: Herophilus, who
is the first physician to dissect human bodies being thus considered
the founder of anatomy (Omar Habbal, 2017).
There are 11 organ systems in the human body all of which
being required for survival (Rob Brouhard, 2020). The first major
important system is the skeletal system. This one (together with the
muscles) provides both the framework and the engine for our
posture and our movements. Our body is supported by this bony
structure consisting of approximately 200 bones – which come in all
shapes and sizes and have many roles – and cartilages. Another
important system in our body is the muscular system which is
composed of specialized cells called muscle fibers. Muscles are
necessary for movement and are attached to bones by strong tissues
called tendons. Muscle tissue can also be found inside of the heart,
blood vessels and digestive organs. We have three different types of
muscle in our body: cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle and smooth
muscle.
The third system is the lymphatic one. Part of the immune
system, the lymphatic system consists of an extensive network of
tissues and organs that help rid the body of unwanted material such
as toxins. It also maintains fluid balance, helps the body absorb fats
and fat-soluble nutrients and circulate vital cells that fight disease
including monocytes, lymphocytes and antibodies.
The respiratory system is a network of tissues and organs
that help us breathe. Breathing is the controlled movement of air in
and out of our bodies (inhaling, exhaling) and the movement of
oxygen into and carbon dioxide and other waste out of the
bloodstream.
The digestive system (colloquially known as the gut),
another major bodily system, allows food to be consumed and used
for energy and growth. The digestive system is made up of the
gastrointestinal tract (a series of hallow organs connected to each
other starting from the mouth all through to the anus), the liver, the
pancreas and gallbladder.
The nervous system is an intricate network of cells (called
neurons) and nerves that carry messages to and from the brain and
spinal cord to various parts of the body. Structurally, the nervous
system has two components: the central nervous system and the
peripheral nervous system. The former is made up of the brain and
the spinal cord while the latter consists of sensory neurons, ganglia
and nerves connected to one another and to the central nervous
system.
The endocrine system (which regulates hormone
production) is made up of all the glands of the human body and the
hormones produced and released by these glands. These hormones
control almost all the processes in our bodies. These chemicals help
coordinate different functions in our bodies by carrying messages
through the blood to the organs, muscle, skin and other tissues.
The circulatory system (also called the cardiovascular
system) carries oxygen, hormones and nutrients to the body’s cells
to use for growth, energy, repair and removal of carbon dioxide and
other wastes the cells do not need. The key parts of the circulatory
system are the blood (made up of cells and plasma), the blood
vessels (carry blood pumped by the heart) and the heart (the organ
that pumps blood to all the parts of the body).
The urinary system consists of the kidneys, ureters,
urinary bladder and urethra each having a well established function.
The kidneys filter the blood while the ureters, urinary bladder and
urethra – which form the urinary tract – acts as a plumbing system
draining urine from the kidneys while keeping water and chemicals,
such as sodium and potassium in balance.
The reproductive system is a collection of both internal
and external organs – both in males and females – working together
for the purpose of procreating.
The integumentary system is the largest organ of the body
and consists of the skin, the hair, the nails and the exocrine glands
and nerves. Its primary function is to protect the inside of the body
from environmental elements such as bacteria, UV rays, pollution,
etc.

Discussion
1. Which is the branch of science concerned with the study of
the human body?
2. Why is an ample knowledge of human anatomy essential
for anyone who is training to become a doctor?
3. What functions does the skeleton perform?
4. How many bones are there in the human body?
5. What is the name of the 1 st physician to dissect human
bodies?
6. Name the 11 organ systems in the human body.
7. Name the three different types of muscles in our body.
8. What is the role of the lymphatic system?
9. What are the two components of the nervous system?
10. What are the key parts of the circulatory system?
 11. What does the urinary system consist of?
12. Which is the largest organ in the body?

Review
A. Complete the following sentences with the appropriate
word:
1. Traditionally, the study of anatomy involved ….. and…..
2. ….. is considered the founder of anatomy.
3. The muscular system is composed of specialized cells
called …… …..
4. The digestive system is colloquially known as the …..
5. The digestive system is made up of the …… ….. the liver,
the pancreas and gallbladder.
6. The nervous system is an intricate network of cells called
…..
7. The ….. ….. is made up of the brain and the spinal cord.
8. The circulatory system is also called the ….. …..

B. .Look at the following statements. Which are true?

Which are false? Correct the false statements.
1. Anatomy is considered the oldest scientific discipline of
medicine.
2. Hippocrates is the first physician to dissect human bodies.
3. Oxygen is breathed into the body during inspiration and
carbon dioxide is released during expiration.
4. The circulatory system regulates hormone production.
 5. The pancreas is part of the endocrine system.
6. The peripheral nervous system is made up of the brain and
the spinal cord.
7. The word anatomy comes from Latin.

C. Chose one of the major systems of the body and explain

how it functions.

Vocabulary practice
A. The following words are all verbs. What are the noun
forms:

1. survive 3. protect
2. circulate 4. involve
3. derive 5. consist
1. consider 4. connect
2. maintain 5. filter

B. Find synonyms in the text for the following words:

1. complex 6. numerous
2. particular 7. area
3. approximately 8. move
4. cut 9. web
5. creator 10. advance

C. Find antonyms in the text for the following words:

1. general 6. unnecessary
2. minor 7. similar
3. youngest 8. uneven
4. irrelevant 9. unimportant
5. generalized 10. wanted

D. Identify each of the following terms by associating it

with one of the major anatomical systems of the body. A
term may belong to more than one system:
1. tissues e. spinal cord
2. cartilages f. peripheral nervous
3. cell system
4. fiber g. sensory neurons
5. muscle h. urethra
6. bone i. ganglia
7. tendons j. gland
8. heart k. plasma
9. blood vessels l. skin
10. cardiac muscle m. exocrine glands
11. monocytes
12. gastrointestinal tract
13. smooth muscle
a. gallbladder
b. neurons
c. ureters
d. bladder
Glossary
anatomy /əˈnatəmi/ - anatomie
cartilage /ˈkɑːt(ɪ)lɪdʒ/ - cartilaj, zgȃrci
dissect /dʌɪˈsɛkt,dɪˈsɛkt/ - a diseca, a analiza
exocrine //ˈɛksə(ʊ)krʌɪn/ - exocrine
gallbladder /ˈgȯl-ˌbla-dər/ - colecist, vezică bibiară
ganglion //ˈɡaŋɡlɪən/ - ganglion
integumentary /in-teg-yuh-men-tuh-ree/ - integumental
lymphatic /lɪmˈfatɪk/ - limfatic
lymphocytes /ˈlɪmfə(ʊ)sʌɪt/ - limfocite
monocytes /mŏn′ə-sīt′/ - monocite
muscle /ˈmʌs(ə)l/ - muşchi
posture /ˈpɒstʃə/ - postură, ţinută (a corpului)
skeletal /skəˈliːt(ə)l/ - scheletic, de schelet
tissue /ˈtɪʃuː,ˈtɪsjuː/ - ţesut cellular
ureter /jʊˈriːtə,ˈjʊərɪtə/ - ureter
urethra /jʊˈriːθrə/ - uretra